Lercandipine side effects nightmare

[Myrtle13]

Has anyone any ideas please.

At my wits end. I’ve been on Losartan 25mg, Lercanipidine 10mg & Propranolol 20 x 2 daily for over 1 year now. My Losartan was reduced from 50 mg 4 months ago due to headaches. No problems until 6 weeks ago when I started with hot flushes, searing headaches, and raised BP around 5pm daily. Which last all night. My life is a mess The pain is awful ,I can’t make arrangements etc. Xmas Day was ruined. I’ve had numerous GP visits, been to A& E and even seen a cardio privately. Nobody has told me what’s causing it . Only suggestion is spread out the beta blockers. Cardio added a “pill in your pocket” to take as needed when the flushing etc starts. But that’s too late as the event lasts all night usually. I’ve tried taking more Lercanidipine but can’t cope with the palpitations that 20mg give me. Has anyone had anything similar ? Not even sure if it is the Lercanidipine or Losartan. Sorry for the long post I’m nearly out of my mind with this. Thanks for reading

[katieoxo60]

Hello there , sometimes Drs do frighten patients with figures. Worry does not help bp readings. I have had high blood pressure for a long time (years) sometimes side effects are worse than the ilness. I am allergic to many drugs and hospital visits only make things worse. I am taking Losartan since early last year but have now developed another symptom very weak muscles which we are not sure of the cause drugs, age or worsening existing illness or something new. Its so confusing for patient and Gps . I would say try and get the symptoms more specific, what makes them worse , and investigate possible side effects of the drugs you take sometimes side effects only occur after long term use and others occur immediatly. Blood pressure tablets do cause side effects and each patient is different so only you and your GP can work out what is best for you. Unfortunately this can take a long time. Could maybe try a lower dose of Losartan or something different given time I am sure things will work out.Good luck keep a diary of symptoms for a while and home readings of BP. Best Wishes.

[ChrissiG in reply to katieoxo60]

I can only relate my experience. I was on the lowest dose of Losartin for a few years with no problems but then my BP rose a little so they increased it. My BP rose again so they put me on the highest dose - 100mg. My BP became scarily high and I developed low sodium which made me shaky ill and fatigued. It also made all my aches and pains worse.

I decided to take myself off the meds. I did it slowly over a month or so. My sodium levels came back up and my BP stayed steady at around 135/85 (I’m 72) I think that is ok although my doctors would like it lower. I’m not prepared to compromise my well being just to bring my numbers down. I have tried several BP meds in the past and they all gave me side effects.

[katieoxo60 in reply to ChrissiG]

Your blood pressure sounds good to me mine is higher than that , I am a little older than you with other health issues. Occassionally I have to read old medical records to remind myself I have a heart muscle defect plus fibrosis of the lungs which reduces my breathing capacity. No one looks at these things or the general health of your whole body only what the books say is normal . You keep to your regime ,I keep to mine as we are all different . Thank you for reply Happy new Year.

[Maxbar in reply to katieoxo60]

hi KatieI just thought I would comment on this bp post, is it me being to simplistic but I do keep wandering why doctors never seem interested in what might be causing your/my high blood pressure surely if they investigate the root cause the bp medication could be tailored to the origin of the high BP.

sorry just me getting it of my chest , as numerous people have said bp medication is a complete nightmare and you do need to be proactive with your GP .good luck to all .

[katieoxo60 in reply to Maxbar]

Thanks for reply, your right it should be simple to identify the cause of high BP but not so I speak from years of experience of course some people are naturally prone to this or it runs in families, So its a case of do what is best for you and be proactive with Drs as you say. some things we do and eat can cause raises ,as can wieght and smoking plus some illnesses .Stress of cause is another raiser of BP.

[tykesammy in reply to ChrissiG]

Hi ChrissiG, I have had hbp for many years, and have now been diagnosed with an intolerance to bp meds, which is awkward for me to say the least. But if I had blood pressure readings such as yours, boy I would be happy.

[onadiet in reply to ChrissiG]

Good for you. Sounds like your bp is good at 72. and no meds.Fantastic.Same age as me . I aim for 130 over 80 or less on 2.5mg.Amlopadine and 8mg.Candesartan. Get lots of aches headaches and pounding heart beat with blocked ears and sinuses. . I struggle all the time.

[ChrissiG in reply to onadiet]

I’m sorry to hear that. It’s the same for me - every medicine I’ve taken has had side effects. I’m the despair of my doctor! I’m just sensitive to everything. That is why I thought I’d try to manage without.

Have you tried more natural remedies? Changing your diet? Exercising? And things like meditation to calm your nervous system and reduce stress? It’s all trial and error finding something that works and sometimes we have no choice but to take the drugs. Hope things settle down for you.

[Sleepyholllow in reply to ChrissiG]

Hello, I am reading post from Myrtle, and totally sympathise with her, as I am in the same boat, but your reply caught my eye as I am in a similar position to yourself, whereby I'm wondering if the side effects are worse than the condition, and am thinking of gradually reducing the meds and maybe have some kind of a life!! (I'm 65) it's amazing that these drugs are so difficult to take for some of us!

[BobbyCollins]

Hi Myrtle 13 I am so sorry to hear this it's really awful how bad these drugs can make you feel. I don't have any answers for you I'm afraid. I have gone from 12.5 Losartan to 50 mg and my bp is higher than it ever was. I have a lot of bad spikes and headaches. I am seeing a cardiologist 8th Jan if I find out anything useful I will post.Take care

[Orladog]

Hi Myrtle I don't know if my own story will help at all. I have been on BP meds for a little over a year after a sudden high BP crisis. Amlodipine at first, then changed to Lercanidipine (a more modern gentler med according to the GP) because of severe headaches and palpitations. The Lercanidipine didn't give me headaches but I still had palpitations and hot flushes and the BP was not well controlled. After one of many calls to the online medical practice, a paramedic spoke to me and said I should take a second pill and advised Ramipril. This was a complete disaster as I ended up with severe tinnitus. Doctor then recommended a change to Losartan and then other 'artan's, all making the tinnitus worse. To cut a long story short, I changed to a diuretic (Indapamide) as a second pill, then decided enough was enough and gave up all other pills except the Lercanidipine. By this time the side effects of Lercanidipine had gone: perhaps my body had got used to the Lercanidipine while I was struggling with all the others. I now just take Lercanidipine 20mg in the morning and my BP is luckily pretty regular about 120 or 130/ 80. I have also come to the conclusion that trying to get to the 120/75 that doctors aim for is really not necessary and just causes anxiety in itself. Good Luck, I hope you find a solution.

[Myrtle13 in reply to Orladog]

Thankyou all so much for your helpful and thoughtful replies. Sorry I can’t reply individually but I am in a lot of pain at the moment. I’m seeing the GP on Weds . My daughter is coming with me as this whole episode has left me in a mess. Thanks again you’re all so kind

[Sleepyholllow in reply to Myrtle13]

Hello myrtle 13,

Please don't let this rotten situation get you down, in my experience bp meds are a nightmare!! I too take LERCANIDIPINE 20 mg, raised from 10mg, The raised heartbeat and headache do settle down eventually, if it's any help, I have stopped dwelling on numbers, it only causes anxiety, I rarely take my bp now after 5 years of chaos, always being upset when they are up, we have to weigh it up and try to get some balance, there is no perfection! I hope you get sorted out as the stress will surely not help!! Keep us posted and very best of luck x

[Bloodpressure_tackel in reply to Orladog]

Thanks for your post.

Do you still get the palpitations or pounding heart beat with Lercanidipine?

I am on 10mg of since 4 weeks and still get them for 2 hours after I take it.

I also take Ramipril 5mg in the evening with no side effects. My numbers are 120-130/80. Thanks

[Pressured]

Hi Myrtle

2 years ago my BP was about 140/90, so my GP put me on 25mg Losartan.

BP came down to about 130/85. A year later BP was creeping up so GP put me on 50mg.

A few months ago BP was averaging 136/88, so GP put me on 75mg.

On 50 and 75 I was often getting what feels like skipped heartbeats and sometimes a bit light headed.

I stopped taking the Losartan after I tried the 75mg, about a month ago.

I feel a lot better, however I will visit my GP in a few a weeks to review the meds.